Planting Banyan

[Super8]

I was wondering if anyone had some experience with growing banyan trees. How fast do they grow? How much water do they need? Can they be graffed? I've got some experience growing good ol' tomaters and green beans, zucchini etc. The garden stuff, but I have a feeling a banyan might be tricky.

Thanks,

[8]

[Rob Tucker]

It is my understanding that Banyan are parasitic.... which means they take root in another tree and devour it over time.

[lquade]

easy and fast growing. same family as ficus, the common houseplant on the mainland. a friend of mine planted one about 25 years ago that is wonderful. not like banyan drive, but still big enough for a tree house. from a small container.

[rainyjim]

correct Rob,

these, 'epiphytes' grow in trees and 'strangle' the 'host' tree.

they should not be planted without great consideration - the canopy could eventually grow beyond the perimeter of your lot - i.e. these are giants.

please consider planting a native tree instead of one of the worse invasives on the island.

aloha mai kakou.

[kaialoha]

Let's set the record straight here, folks!!! A 'Banyan' is a Ficus benghalensis and though CAN be (but for the most part is NOT) a 'strangler' is EASILY controlled through judicious and selective pruning when the tree is young and as it grows larger and larger. The 'strangler' moniker is given almost pervasively throughout the Ficus genus and has lead to some misconceptions about certain species of the Ficus genus, UNFORTUNATELY.

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND several species:

Ficus macrophylla (Moreton Bay Fig which grows to ENORMOUS dimensions over time. Make sure you have room for it!) ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_macrophylla

Ficus microphylla/rubiginosa (Rusty Leaf Fig which is much smaller and grows to about 20-50 feet with a crown/spread of about 30 feet) ~ https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/FIC...GINOSA.htm

Ficus microcarpa nitida (retusa) or Cuban Laurel, with a growth habit of about 50-100 feet high by 50-100 or more feet in crown diameter,

Ficus benjamina (Benjamin Ficus), with a growth habit (OVER time) of 100 feet and 100 feet or more in diameter,

In spite of it's reputation as a notorious 'invasive species' in Hawai'i, and which is more specifically the Ficus religiosa, Ficus species are TOTALLY APPROPRIATE in the Puna area where a large space is available. They do better in wetter climes and will need more water in lower elevations. And though they are 'epiphytic', the 'strangler' effect of the different species prone to that behavior takes YEARS to happen and can EASILY be thwarted through, as I stated above, selective destruction of tree-born seeds, and judicious and selective pruning (which, by the way is done OPPOSITE of other trees, basically from the ground UP NOT from the top down as the sap is profuse and can cause an allergic reaction in some that are allergic to latex). Typically the seeds do better IN the tops of other trees and NOT SO GOOD on the ground.

Ficus provide shelter for birds and other epiphytes like a HUGE variety of bromeliads and other native Hawai'ian species.

Having said all that, there are a couple of Ficus genus I would RECOMMEND STRONGLY AGAINST: Ficus religiosa and Ficus repens (pumila). Ficus repens, in particular, exhibits 'strangler' behavior and is plenty strong enough to move VERY LARGE buildings with their rapid growth and invasive root systems. AND they are fast growers. DO NOT be deceived by their gorgeous tiny heart-shaped leaves when they are young as ultimately the leaves of the older plants grow to ENORMOUS dimensions and without proper 'training' will grow up, over, and into, EVERYTHING around them. In the early 70's-80's these Bad Boys were used EXTENSIVELY as espaliers on fences and walls of homes MUCH to the disdain of the owners when years later it costs THOUSANDS of dollars of repair/replacement/removal because of their GINORMOUS root systems and growth.

My FAVORITE of all is the Ficus macrocarpa (Moreton Bay Fig). Just MAKE SURE that where you plant it is far away from structures (BOTH above and below ground, ie, utilities) and that you shape it when it is young so that it forms an umbrella/crown with age. It is EASY to prune the air roots so that they do not 'buttress' over time

ALOHA

Punanny

[Super8]

Thanks kialoha, that was cool. Have a love affair with that tree, too? So, before it gets sidetracked in to if the plant should be planted, I already knew it was considered an invasive. I Wikipedied the tree but it didn't say much on how to grow it. I knew it grew on and strangled it's host, too. As a haole, that's why I like it! Just messin' [:p] I've seen it grow around rock structures and I was wondering if I were able to prune it right, if it could potentially reinforce or retain a wall. Or maybe I could I possibly use telephone poles arranged in sort of like a loose fasces to begin a growth with an artificial hollowed center like it did grow out and strangle a host tree. Left unchecked, I bet it would have the compressive power crush a captured stone. I think it has some great potential as a landscaping tree. Those huge roots capture and stabilize soil. The shade is nice... I just like the tree.

I'm not much for the Huffington Post, but here's an article about Hilo's Banyan Drive. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4380119/
Thanks,

[8]

[bananahead]

Banyan are fig/ficus

all the ficus trees here grow big, and way too easily from cutting left on ground or root suckers (we dont have the natural pollinators for most species to make seed)
much of that crap between and along the hwy going to Hilo is Small Leaf Banyan... the wild graygreen small leaf tree with light gray bark, overhanging roads in HPP and between and along the hwy from Keaau to Hilo are all ficus sp. trees, a small leaf banyan... people just dont notice it that much because they think its just "More Ohia"
not as bad as albizia, but it will be a problem in years to come in HPP, same with the autograph trees (both climb and kill native Ohia)

PS.
(from the book 'Common Forest Trees of Hawaii')
Chinese Banyan
Ficus microcarpa

'Champion' Biggest trees of species in Hawaii
Height 104 ft (31.7 m), c.b.h. 90.1 ft (27.5 m), spread
195 ft (59.4 m). Keaau Village, Puna, Hawaii (1968).
This banyan with trunks and air roots grown together
has the greatest trunk circumference and greatest crown
spread of all Hawaiian champions.

(45 yrs later its prob bigger... its the tree across the road from Keaau HS)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/tre...ocarpa.pdf

******************************************************************
save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha

[Super8]

Thanks bananahead, but I never figured you would approve with your signature tag

[8]

[kaialoha]

Aloha Super8,

I think your idea of using a certain species of Ficus (aka, 'fig') with it's roots as a 'retaining' structure is a GOOD one, but, even as fast as Ficus grow, it may be awhile before you see a true retaining effect. If you look at pictures of the temple at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the root systems you see are mostly of Ficus species though I'm unsure of which one(s) they may be. They are VERY old and you can see how they have permeated and penetrated just about every nook and cranny available. If you do plant a Ficus, train some or all of the emerging branches towards or even ON the ground to get maximum buttressing and root contact onto/into whatever you use as a skeleton of your retaining system onto which the Ficus will train. Kind of like an espalier but for the intent of getting the Ficus to send down and or sprout air roots which will then subsequently add strength to the skeleton.

To answer your question: YES!! I LOVE Ficus. I grew them in my Nursery in San Diego along with Palms, Coral Trees, LOTS and LOTS of Giant Timber Bamboo, and several succulents including a variety of Cactus, Euphorbia, Aloe, and Pachypodiums, to name just a few ~ ~ ~

MUCH Aloha and Pomaika'i with your system

BTW, if you have any questions about how to build your retaining wall, feel free to get ahold of me. I'm a retired Landscape Architect/Engineer of over 35 years and have designed a few of these systems over those years ~ Aloha ~

Punanny

[Super8]

Mahalo Kaialoha, for your offer. It would be great to have your expertise and consultation. Funny, Angkor Wat was part of my inspiration for my 'temple.' All about getting the right amount of shade and airflow. I'm sure if I keep up with the training and trimming, I can keep the aerial roots from going into places they shouldn't be. Question: Can they grow with salinated water? All the ones growing in Hilo seem to do fine but I don't know if that's because of the rain. I have read that wells drilled near the coast are slightly more saline than most potable water sources. I was thinking of drilling for the purpose of watering my trees.
Thanks,

[8]